Most of us have something in common: A goal, a dream, a desire that we didn’t realize out of fear.

We could live what we wanted, all the conditions were there, but that negative voice inside us advised us to stay there, in our comfort zone, where everything is familiar, familiar, safe.

But as the saying goes, “our comfort zone is a beautiful place, but nothing ever grows there.” And this is the truth: No matter how beautifully we have built our lives, there are always exciting new things and experiences to discover. Experiences that can only make it better.

So is it time to say yes to what scares us the most?

Now, after all, is an ideal time for a new beginning. January and the coming of the new year is a time of change, decisions and reflection. So maybe it’s time to start that extreme sport you’ve been thinking about, to take that long trip, even without company… to dare what you’ve been thinking about for so long, but were afraid of. The feeling will be stronger than my words could describe to you.

All fear does is hold us back, stop us from taking risks, trying new things and pushing our limits.

“Feelings of fear and anxiety often develop when trying something new or going to a new place – especially if there’s a chance we’ll make a mistake or it won’t go ‘perfectly,'” explains Lisa Gunn. head of emotional wellbeing prevention at Nuffield Health. “In such situations, usually the most comfortable and safe reaction is to say ‘no’, as this keeps us in our comfort zone.

By embracing and experiencing our fears, saying yes to things we used to say no to, we prove to ourselves that we can overcome fear and obstacles and step out into the world with all the possibilities that a yes can offer.

If you also face the fear of saying “yes” to what scares you, METRO has gathered expert advice on how you can overcome it and finally dare what you so desire:

Try to understand the source of the fear

One way to overcome this phobia is through awareness and self-awareness, argues Alyssa Roberts, author of Practical Psychology. “Pause and reflect on your thoughts and feelings. That way, you’ll be able to better understand the sources of fear and confront them head on,” he says. “Often, fear can come from negative thought patterns such as ‘I’m not good enough’ or ‘I will fail’ and replacing them with more empowering thoughts such as ‘I am capable and worthy,'” she adds.

Roberts adds that it can also be helpful to show self-compassion, reminding them that it’s natural to feel anxious or uncertain at times, and that it’s okay to make mistakes.

Start with something small

As with any new habit, the key is to start the change by taking small steps. Gunn explains, “Start by saying yes to something that’s not that scary, and then think about what came out of that yes and what you learned about yourself. “Keep building on that effort until you get to the point where putting yourself out into the world is a one-way street,” she advises.

Think: Will you regret more if you dare or if you close the door on a new challenge?

Experience tells us that you are more likely to regret something you didn’t do than something you dared to live. “Opportunities don’t necessarily come around often. Life and fortune favor the bold,” reminds psychologist Mairead Molloy. “You are very likely to regret saying no to something. The feeling of regret resulting from the denial of a new experience is the greatest danger of all,” he adds.

“Saying yes to new experiences is very powerful. Many of us find patterns we like and stick with them. It’s somewhat inevitable to gravitate towards the safety of familiarity. But this familiarity can prevent you from having experiences that will change your life for the better,” Molloy comments.

Life coach Manuel Giudice suggests asking yourself, “What has this fear deprived me of personally, professionally, emotionally, socially, and financially so far?”

Focus your thinking on how much you will regret something you didn’t do and maybe that will encourage you to dare.

Engage with company

A good way to do something you fear is to do it with good company. Giudice explains, “Sharing your decision with others, like friends and family, can act as a reminder, encouraging you to take the plunge, no matter how uncomfortable it feels.”